Lilin was a beautiful little girl who lacked for nothing. Her father was the wealthiest man in the region. He was the first person to own a truck in the area, which he used to take people into the city. He also owned a mill that could grind corn, rice, and millet. Lilin was as beautiful as the moon and the sun, and she lived in comfort. Her father loved her dearly because she was his only daughter and the youngest child. Lilin had a lot of nice clothes and toys. However, despite all of this, she was never truly happy.
In the neighborhood, there was another little girl named Ti Yaya. Her family’s situation was not so good. Her parents were humble people who worked hard, often making butter by hand. Yet, they always managed to get by, raising two girls and three boys that God had given them. One day, Ti Yaya was walking toward the water while singing. As she passed by the house where Lilin lived, she heard a voice calling her. “Si i i-t!” The voice surprised her because the people who lived in that house never interacted with others. Ti Yaya turned around to see who had called her, and she was surprised to see it was Lilin.
Lilin said to her, “Hello! What’s your name?”
“I’m Ti Yaya.”
“Why is it that I always hear you singing when you’re on your way to the water?”
“My father always says that when someone sings, it gives them more strength because the song they sing reveals the color of their soul.”
“How beautiful your father’s words are! Don’t you want to be my friend?”
“I don’t see a problem with that, because my father always says that if everyone in society tied their belly buttons together, we would live better.”
“Well, my dear, sometimes my father is a wise man!”
So, the two girls became friends. From then on, they couldn’t go a day without talking to each other. Both sets of parents didn’t mind their friendship; they were reasonable people. They supported the growing bond between the two girls. Even though Ti Yaya didn’t dress like Lilin, she never felt inferior to her. They became what we might call true friends. Their friendship grew so much that even their parents became close friends. Lilin’s father appreciated Ti Yaya a lot. From that day forward, the two families became inseparable.
Context and lesson:
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This story illustrates the power of friendship transcending social status and material wealth. Lilin, though rich and well-loved by her father, was emotionally unfulfilled. Ti Yaya, from a humble family, taught Lilin the value of inner beauty and the strength found in song and community. Their friendship grew strong, despite their differences in wealth and status, and it even brought their families closer together. This story emphasizes themes of kindness, empathy, and the idea that true friendship is based on mutual respect and shared values, not material possessions. The proverb shared by Ti Yaya’s father about tying “belly buttons” is a metaphor for unity and collaboration in society.
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